Millville wide receiver Alskee Downing is off to a strong start for the Thunderbolts. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn

When it comes to the Millville High School team’s offense, the unit has plenty of go-to guys.

The Thunderbolts had scored 59 points in two games entering Friday night’s Week 3 battle with St. Joseph. Millville, like the majority of teams, relies heavily on a strong running game to put up points.

But what separates the Bolts from most teams in not only the Cape-Atlantic League, but across South Jersey, is their ability to throw the football.

Senior quarterback Rashon Sorrell has a host of options in the passing game, most notably senior wide receivers DeQuan Bowman and Alskee Downing.

Sorrell had tossed three touchdown passes leading into Friday night’s clash with the Wildcats — two to Downing and a 72-yard strike to Bowman to beat Atlantic City on Sept. 7. The trio have been playing together since midget ball, and their chemistry shows.

“We have veteran guys on offense,” said Bowman, who made eight receptions for 160 yards through Sept. 14. “We have a veteran quarterback in Rashon, veteran receivers, veterans on the line, so we should be effective.”

Downing had snagged four passes for 59 yards prior to tangling with St. Joseph, with two of those receptions being 21-yard touchdowns.

Downing sees that added dimension as a bonus for the Bolts.

“It gives us an advantage because not many teams in high school pass the ball as well as us,” the 5-foot-9, 155-pound receiver said. “I feel like it gives us a definite edge.”

The potent passing attack has certainly made life easier on Sorrell, who is in his first year as the full-time varsity starter at quarterback.

Sorrell is near the top of the passing leader charts in the CAL, and Bowman and Downing are a major reason why.

Both of Sorrell’s receivers bring a different skill set to the gridiron.

“DeQuan, he’s a deep threat,” Sorrell said. “He’s got the speed to get down field and beat anybody. If we need a big play down the field, I know I can count on him.”

Downing is more than dependable, as well.

“Alskee has speed too, but he’s a great route runner,” Sorrell said. “He runs routes nice and crisp, and if we need a first down, he’s one of the guys I look to.”

Millville’s dynamic offense is one of the major reasons the team has made the playoffs each of the past two seasons and looks primed for another run in 2012.

Opposing defenses can’t expect the Bolts to keep airing it out.

“When we’re passing the ball well that just puts more pressure on the defense,” Sorrell said. “That balance keeps the defensive backs honest and lets us run the ball better, too.”

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